Dress-suit-case frame



No. 770,340. `PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

, J. VRANEK. DRESS SUIT CASE FRAME.

VAPPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

v A TTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES Patented September 20, 1904 JOSEPH VRANEK, OF MILWAUKEE,WISCONSIN.

DRESS-SUlT-CASE FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 770,340, datedSeptember 20, 1904.

Application filed September 8, 1903. Serial No. 172,201. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

g Be it known that I, JOSEPH VRANEK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Dress-Suit-Uase Frames, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of valises which areknown to the trade as dress-suit cases; and it pertains more especiallyto the construction and arrangement of a metallic strengthening-framewhich is located at the mouth or upper edge of the body of the case,over and against which the cover of the case closes.

The object of my invention is to provide Such a form of construction ofstrengtheningframe as will give the greatest strength with theleastmaterial, while the construction of the frame is such that it maybe rapidly and easily made from ordinary sheet metal.

My invention is further explained by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure l represents a cross-section of the caseprovided with my improved frame. Fig. 2 represents a top view of theframe removed from the case. Fig. 3 represents a cross-section of apreferred form, and Fig..4 represents a cross-section of a modified formof strengthening-frame.

Like parts are identified by the same reference-letters throughout theseveral views.

A represents the body of the case, and B represents the cover. The uppermarginal edge of the body A is provided with my improved form ofstrengthening-frame C, which is preferably held in place by a portion ofthe body A, which is bent over, around, and beneath the same, asindicated in Fig. l, when it is secured in place by a series ofstitches. The frame O is preferably made of sheet metal. which is Mshape in cross-section, as shown in Figs. l and 3, or it may, ifdesired, be made U shape, as shown in Fig. 4. It is obvious that by thusforming the frame from sheet metal with a plurality of folds arrangededgewise toward the contiguous supportingwalls of the case I am enabledto produce such frame of the greatest strength with a minimum weight ofmetal and that by arranging the folds of the frame edgewise toward thewalls of the case it is adapted to 4withstand much greater strainwithout being bent or broken by lateral pressure.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 4 the frame is made U shape incross-section. The form shown in Fig. 3, however, is preferred, owing toits greater strength in proportion to the weight of metal used in itsconstruction. The body A and cover B of the case are lmade in theordinary way of any desired material usually employed for such purposes,and the same forms no part of the present invention, except as used inconnection with my strengthening-flange.

It will be understood that by the form of strengthening-frame shown inFig. 3 the eX- terior pressure will be brought to bear edgewise againstfour separate folds or thicknesses of metal, while in the form of frameshown in Fig. 4 such strain or pressure would be brought to bearedgewise against two folds or thicknesses of metal, whereby the casecannot be pressed inwardly without bending the several folds of thestrengthening-frame edgewise of the metal comprising the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with the walls of a suitcase, of a rectangularstrengthening-frame formed of an elongated 4piece of sheet metal bentlongitudinally to form a plurality of folds which bear at an angle tothe contiguous walls of the case, the ends of the strip comprising saidrectangular frame being permanently connected together.

2. The combination with the walls of a suitcase; of a rectangularmetallic frame formed of sheet metal comprising a plurality of foldscontiguous Walls of the case, substantially as M shape in cross-section,substantially as set and for the' purpose speciiied. 10 forth. Intestimony whereof I aiix my signature in 3. The combination with theWalls of a suitthe presence of two Witnesses. 5 case; of a rectangularmetallic frame formed JOSEPH VRANEK.

of a single piece of sheet metaly IVl'sliape in i' Witnesses:cross-section comprising a plurality of folds JAS. B. ERWIN,

arranged at substantially right angles to the N. Z. TAUGHER.

